After awhile Enre leaves the practice room with Eir over one shoulder and Artōrius looking at him with a face of both fear and respect. He than says "Well at least, I can leave you both alone if I need to." Artōrius blinks at what Enre had just said not saying anything, seemly lost in thought.
"Okay, that shouldn't be a problem, that's just cosmetic...actually it leaves me a little more useful space to work with..." she typed in a few commands and the image changed to something more beetle-like with long, thin limbs. "Is this better?"
"Oh, and do you have a preference for color? The crystal composite we'll be using as a base is clear so we can make it any color you like."
"Clear will be fine. It'll let me know if it needs to get refilled with the more of the potion just by looking at it. It looks fine as it is, really."
"If you don't mind my asking, why are you the P.E. teacher if you can do something like this?"
"Clear will be fine. It'll let me know if it needs to get refilled with the more of the potion just by looking at it. It looks fine as it is, really."
"If you don't mind my asking, why are you the P.E. teacher if you can do something like this?"
"Well, until recently my ability to get the materials for this stuff was pretty limited. It was more like an expensive hobby. Of course now it's a full-time job and then some. Actually, I've already given up all of my basic PE classes. I'm still teaching Advanced PE for now, but once I get the danger room finished anyone will be able to supervise the class. And then I can focus on just the tech stuff."
"Although, I will say that in general it's good to be well trained in both physical and mental disciplines."
"Me either. It's pretty though."
"It really is." Vai blinks, suddenly realizing they were standing in the middle of the street staring at the sky. "Um.. so, shoes next?"
"You play sax? Awesome! I'm a guitarist, but I won't be in the talent show. But the band I'm in, it's called FAIN, and we're having what is officially called an open rehearsal after the talent show. Not so officially it's an after party. You should come."
"Cool. I will be there"
"Me either. It's pretty though.""It really is." Vai blinks, suddenly realizing they were standing in the middle of the street staring at the sky. "Um.. so, shoes next?"
The girls headed to the shoe store where Ephebe couldn't resist another pair or three of ballet shoes and Fieri bought some really strange pairs of spiky heels and tall platform shoes made out of clear plastic that looked like they would be impossible to walk on. She did however steer Vai towards some more normal shoes. Some classic black flats, some rope-soled mules, some cute strappy wedges, and a lovely pair of embroidered slippers to match the dress she'd bought to wear to the talent show. Then it was off to buy make-up. Ephebe stocked up on glitter powder since she was running low after her last performance. Fieri bought eyeshadows and lipsticks in some truly alarming colors. But they were able to get some simple makeup for Vai that didn't overwhelm her. Some pale lavender eyeshadow, light pink lip gloss, and pale pink blush. There was also some mascara, but Vai was nervous about putting something on her eyes so Fieri promised to help her with it.
"So, all we have left before we go pick up your stuff at the jeweler's is the music store and fencing supplies. Which do you want to do first, Vai?"
"Both sound pretty appealing... but let's go to the music store first. Fencing gear is heavy isn't it?"
"Yeah...and that store isn't very close to the skimmer. Actually, let's go put our bags in the trunk before we head to the music store."
The girls were able to put their parcels in the skimmer and headed on their way, Fieri leading the way since this was a store she was very familiar with.
The clerk brightens up as soon as Fieri comes in.
"What can I help you with today? We do have some new sheet music in. And those strings you were waiting for arrived just yesterday."
"Great. We're also looking at harps for my sister here," she said, indicating Vai. "Do you have any good quality ones suitable for a beginner?"
After a time, the little bird chirps at Ehos and flies back into the trees.
Lovely isn't he?
Wyrd turns to Ehos with a smile.
Thank you for coming out here with me. It is nice to have some company.
Vai nods and smiles, thinking of the prospect of having a harp. So many instruments in the store... Her gaze wanders around the store. She saw so many different instruments she didn't even know the names for! Do they all make different sounds?
Ehos smiles at Wyrd. Communication without sound was so difficult and unintuitive, but Ehos didn't care. At least the garden was peaceful. Ehos leaned back against the tree, and watches the skies. They suddenly grow dark and a crack of lightning can be seen. A light rain begins falling in the garden. He tucks the notebook into his clothing to protect the pages.
Ehos wonders if his sister is angry... she had done this once before. Perhaps he should seek her out... No. He was comfortable. If she wanted to be angry, that was her choice.
Wyrd sits in the raid for a few minutes then looks sharply to Ehos.
I apologize, my friend, for keeping you out in the rain. We can go inside if you would like.
Vai looks around at the selection of harps on display. Some were huge! "I think I should start with a small one, maybe... this one?" Vai picks up a small-sized harp, however, this one has a double-row of strings, making it an extremely advanced harp.
Ehos - who is calmly relaxing, laying back on the grass and consequently getting soaked - shakes his head in response to Wyrd. The rain made it feel like he was back at home among the trees. The falling drops causing the leaves to sing a low, steady thrum makes him feel even more at peace.
"That's too bad, Kitty liked you as the teacher."
Vai looks around at the selection of harps on display. Some were huge! "I think I should start with a small one, maybe... this one?" Vai picks up a small-sized harp, however, this one has a double-row of strings, making it an extremely advanced harp.
Fieri gently takes the harp from her. "Size isn't the only factor. The more strings it has, the more challenging it is to play. See? This one has double strings. I might have a hard time playing this one since I haven't practiced for so long. Also, the lap harp isn't as easy as you might think. I think we should choose a larger harp. If you don't have to hold up the harp then you can keep both hands free for playing."
"Here, how about this one? It doesn't have pedals or levers so you'll only be able to play in a single key, but I don't think you're ready to deal with those anyways. And for a floor-standing harp it's on the smaller side. Even though it's simple it's good quality, decent craftsmanship. Actually it's pretty unusual to find a good instrument that has neither pedals nor levers. It must have been made for a beginner."
"That's too bad, Kitty liked you as the teacher."
"I'll try to stay on until the end of the school year, but we'll see. I took the job in the first place because of my children coming here. It didn't seem right to just foist them off on their uncle. Those three have always been more of an all hands on deck sort of situation while they were growing up. But now they're all pretty much settled and graduating a year earlier than planned. There's still Vai, though, so I still have some parenting left to do," she said with a chuckle as she picked up a vial and used a small knife to make a tiny cut in Michael's finger, letting a few small drops of blood drip into the vial. She took the vial and put it into an iso-chamber, quickly programming the nanites before releasing them into the chamber and soon the vial was filling up with blood cloned from the original few drops.
"I'll still be here at Avalon, but I spend more of my time working on tech, teaching the advanced tech students...and with James hellbent on reestablishing industry on this world there'll be more and more of them, and of course running the school security network. There's a good chance James will take over the advanced PE class once he graduates. That should let him stay on part-time and leave him enough time for running his factory."She pulled out several sheets of crystal composite and put them into another iso-chamber, programming that to create the frame of the homunculus.
Fieri gently takes the harp from her. "Size isn't the only factor. The more strings it has, the more challenging it is to play. See? This one has double strings. I might have a hard time playing this one since I haven't practiced for so long. Also, the lap harp isn't as easy as you might think. I think we should choose a larger harp. If you don't have to hold up the harp then you can keep both hands free for playing."
"Here, how about this one? It doesn't have pedals or levers so you'll only be able to play in a single key, but I don't think you're ready to deal with those anyways. And for a floor-standing harp it's on the smaller side. Even though it's simple it's good quality, decent craftsmanship. Actually it's pretty unusual to find a good instrument that has neither pedals nor levers. It must have been made for a beginner."
"You're the expert Fi." Vai says, gently replaces the small harp she had picked up, a little embarrased at her inexperience. "Alright," she turns to the clerk, "We'll take that one please."
"With a cover too please. We do have to get it back to the school. And don't you dare even think of overcharging my sister," she added menacingly.
The clerk looked alarmed and went into the back to get his boss at which point Fieri took over in some complicated negotiations with the middle-aged dwarven woman who owned the store. Once the deal had been negotiated to Fieri's satisfaction, she directed Vai to pay and cheerfully thanked the owner who cheerfully thanked her for her business. Fieri picked out and paid for some sheet music while the clerk was left with the responsibility of wrestling the large instrument to their car.
"Negotiating with Magda is always so much fun," she said happily as the hapless clerk was already out of breath and he'd only just made it out the door.
"So, next is fencing gear...I don't think either of us know much about that Vai, so I guess we won't be much help."
"I think I have an idea about that. Hey Nim." Vai pokes the "sleeping" form of Nimceleb draped around her neck. Nimceleb had gotten so bored with the shopping he spent most of the trip finding various places to fall asleep. He wakes up and looks around. "Nim, can you go ask Sadie Jhiwoon what I need for fencing? She should be in the school." No sooner than Vai had finished speaking, Nimceleb was a bolt of silver streaking towards the school.
Nimceleb finds Sadie, and delivers the message, then waits for the response to take back to Vai.
"Wha-? REally??? She's going to buy fencing gear? Wait, right now! Oh, right! Umm....she'll need...er, I should make a list," Sadie said, blushing fiercely as she ran to get pencil and paper. "She'll need a jacket, and a mask....gloves....of course a practice blade.....Oh, and they'll charge her way too much! Not to mention giving her more stuff than she could ever need....Hmmm....." Sadie quickly penned another note. She handed both notes to Nimceleb. "Okay, give these to Vai. When she gets to the shop tell her to ask for Quintus. She can give him the note addressed to him and he'll make sure she gets the right stuff."
Nimceleb happily bites down lightly on the notes to hold them (they are too big for his little claws), and darts away once again, back down the hill to the Sunwake sisters, who have just finished getting the harp loaded into the hovercar. Nimceleb swoops down and lands on his haunches, proferring the notes, which Vai takes, opening the one addressed to her. Obviously written very quickly, Vai takes a moment to decipher the handwriting. "She wrote a note to a Quintus at the store. She said he can help us get everything I'll need." She holds up the second note addressed to Quintus. "Shall we go?" They had seen the fencing shop a couple times as they zigzagged through town, so Vai led the way this time.
"Hi" Vai says cheerfully to the person manning the front of the store. "I'm looking for Quintus."
A small fox sleeps in a patch of sunlight in the student lounge, well within the distance in which screams could be easily heard in case the annoying air girl had any more problems he had to solve. He was feeling distinctly cranky about the whole thing.
Ryleh checks to see who is next on her list. She still needed to speak with Enre and Genosuke. And there was some sort of psychic disturbance in the infirmary. That would have to wait for later, though.
Nala was trying diligently to work her way through the pile of texts Miss Jones had given her to study once she had been made aware that Nala was being asked to perform such a delicate psychic surgery. While she appreciated her teacher's calm matter-of-fact attitude about the whole thing, she was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed.
<knock knock>
Heads back to his room, from meditation in the garden. He changes into more appropriate robes, and heads to the teacher's lounge to get some tea and to grade some papers.
Vai's almost brash confidence seems to evaporate at the sight of the burly half-orc. She tentatively reaches out to hand the note addressed to him. Her hair has fallen in front of her face. "H-hello, sir. S-sadie told me t-to talk to you about g-getting some fencing eq-quiment.'
<knock knock>
"Come in," she called out, mind still focused on reading the pile of books in front of her.
Heads back to his room, from meditation in the garden. He changes into more appropriate robes, and heads to the teacher's lounge to get some tea and to grade some papers.
As her search led her to the teacher's lounge, she finally found one of the people she'd been looking for.
"Genosuke, I presume? I have some things I wish to speak with you about. It's regarding a student with a rather...delicate, shall we say, situation. That could potentially lead to the destruction of our planet at the very least if left unchecked. So I'm afraid it's rather urgent."
Vai nods slowly. He's not scary. He's Sadie's friend. Sadie is friends with half-ogres too. She said people judge them based on their looks. Just don't do that. Just be calm. He's not gonna hurt you. Not with Ephebe and Fieri standing there. She follows the half-orc and stands on the wooden step he indicates and he starts taking her measurements. She involuntarily flinches whenever he touches her, and her lip is trembling, but she doesn't say anything or turn to run away.
Heads back to his room, from meditation in the garden. He changes into more appropriate robes, and heads to the teacher's lounge to get some tea and to grade some papers.As her search led her to the teacher's lounge, she finally found one of the people she'd been looking for.
"Genosuke, I presume? I have some things I wish to speak with you about. It's regarding a student with a rather...delicate, shall we say, situation. That could potentially lead to the destruction of our planet at the very least if left unchecked. So I'm afraid it's rather urgent."
He looks up from a stack of papers, and the glasses on his nose disappear. He will stand and bow formally.
"I am indeed Genosuke. Never a dull moment at Avalon, to be sure. Other than destroying the student in question, how may I assist?"
"Come in," she called out, mind still focused on reading the pile of books in front of her.
<knock knock>
Opens the door a crack, and peeks in.
"Hi, Nala." He says with a smile"Oh you're busy...I can come back later..."
Heads back to his room, from meditation in the garden. He changes into more appropriate robes, and heads to the teacher's lounge to get some tea and to grade some papers.As her search led her to the teacher's lounge, she finally found one of the people she'd been looking for.
"Genosuke, I presume? I have some things I wish to speak with you about. It's regarding a student with a rather...delicate, shall we say, situation. That could potentially lead to the destruction of our planet at the very least if left unchecked. So I'm afraid it's rather urgent."
He looks up from a stack of papers, and the glasses on his nose disappear. He will stand and bow formally.
"I am indeed Genosuke. Never a dull moment at Avalon, to be sure. Other than destroying the student in question, how may I assist?"
"Destroying the student in question is not an option. Avalon is here to help students. It's not usually their fault if they happen to be time bomb waiting to go off and destroy life as we know it," she said dryly. "I need some insight into the workings of magic. The being that wishes to use this student as a gateway has implanted a magical device in her that is eating her soul so that he can get through. This must be stopped. I was hoping you might have some insight into how such a device might work and what attack and defense strategies might be useful against a minor god of lightning and destruction," she added with perfect calm.
"Your grandson has already proved most useful in this endeavor though his attitude leaves much to be desired."
"Come in," she called out, mind still focused on reading the pile of books in front of her.
<knock knock>
Opens the door a crack, and peeks in.
"Hi, Nala." He says with a smile
"Oh you're busy...I can come back later..."
"If by later, you mean next week, then sure," she said with a grimace. "Sorry. I've been asked to perform psychic surgery on one of our fellow students and if I get it wrong he'll either become a murderous monster or his personality will be erased entirely. It's kind of a lot of pressure. You're welcome to hang out, but I doubt it's going to be much fun around me for a while."
"People shouldn't be judged by how they look, right?" Vai says, though the crack in her voice belies her fear. She's still trying to calm herself. When he leaves, the fear leaves her. Idiot! He's just a normal person! He's just like you. You don't want people to be scared of you! Stop it stop it!
When Quintus returns, Vai's face is set in grim determination. She won't flinch this time, no matter how scary it is.
"If I offended, I do apologize. Sometimes the sacrifice of one soul is necessary for the continued existence of all souls. I doubted it would be that easy, though..."
He furrows his brow.
"A minor god of...most peculiar. The obvious thing would be to guard against electrical forces...as for the feeding on the girl, my experience with things of this nature is to trick them into feeding on something else they find more delicious. Perhaps offer him something he would go after to abandon his attacks on the student...
I have much to think on. How may I reach you?"
"If by later, you mean next week, then sure," she said with a grimace. "Sorry. I've been asked to perform psychic surgery on one of our fellow students and if I get it wrong he'll either become a murderous monster or his personality will be erased entirely. It's kind of a lot of pressure. You're welcome to hang out, but I doubt it's going to be much fun around me for a while."
"It's ok. If you want company I can stay, if you want quiet, I can go.
Or if you need someone to practice on...I can go get a random student...I'm kidding.It's awesome they came to you with this. I'm sure you'll do great.
But, seriously, you're gonna need to eat. I can go get something for you then leave you alone, if you need."
"If I offended, I do apologize. Sometimes the sacrifice of one soul is necessary for the continued existence of all souls. I doubted it would be that easy, though..."
He furrows his brow.
"A minor god of...most peculiar. The obvious thing would be to guard against electrical forces...as for the feeding on the girl, my experience with things of this nature is to trick them into feeding on something else they find more delicious. Perhaps offer him something he would go after to abandon his attacks on the student...
I have much to think on. How may I reach you?"
Ryleh pulled a small crystal out of her sleeve. "You may use this to contact me. I intend to finish with consultations today. Since the matter is so urgent I will call a strategy meeting in the morning and refine the plan as best we can. You are encouraged to attend. It is imperative that not a whisper of this reaches the student in question as her mind is obviously compromised."
"If by later, you mean next week, then sure," she said with a grimace. "Sorry. I've been asked to perform psychic surgery on one of our fellow students and if I get it wrong he'll either become a murderous monster or his personality will be erased entirely. It's kind of a lot of pressure. You're welcome to hang out, but I doubt it's going to be much fun around me for a while.""It's ok. If you want company I can stay, if you want quiet, I can go.
Or if you need someone to practice on...I can go get a random student...I'm kidding.
It's awesome they came to you with this. I'm sure you'll do great.
But, seriously, you're gonna need to eat. I can go get something for you then leave you alone, if you need."
"Yeah, a snack might be a good idea. I don't know. I don't know if I can do this,: she said, head falling onto her books as she tried to hide the tears. "I'm scared."